Metropolitan Museum of Art director defends deaccessioning to address budget crisis and preserve jobs

Max Hollein, director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, has defended the institution's right to sell artworks from its collection to address a potential $150 million budget deficit. This follows earlier criticism from former director Thomas P. Campbell, who likened deaccessioning to 'crack cocaine to the addict.' Another former curator described such sales as 'shameful and misguided.' Hollein emphasized that the museum has already implemented cost-cutting measures, including reducing its exhibition program, halting new hires, and creating an emergency fund. Staff reductions through voluntary retirement, layoffs, and furloughs have decreased headcount from about 2,000 to 1,600. The Association of Art Museum Directors temporarily relaxed regulations last year, allowing U.S. institutions to use artwork sale proceeds for the 'direct care' of collections amid the COVID-19 crisis. Hollein argues that the pandemic poses an existential threat to American museums, making it a priority to retain skilled staff to care for collections. He views a deliberate deaccession program as appropriate and necessary for the museum's long-term health.